From the Closet (Again): Patou Colony

By Tom Patou Colony is a brilliant scent that I shouldn't like at all. Created in the 30's to celebrate the French Colonies, it's a "tropical" perfume in which pineapple plays a major role. That's the part I shouldn't like: I like that fruit on a plate or in a juice, but couldn't see it being in a scent I'd like to wear. Boy was I wrong.. Marina wrote that "the action in Colony takes place in a pampered, civilized oasis" while in Donna's opinion "it is so very sexy and grown-up, yet it has that hint of tropical romance to it that gives it such a charming character". They're both right. Pineapple here starts off fresh in an opening that if you didn't know better could peg as a Lutens one: sparkling fresh with spicy carnation. Then the fruits start to stew in their juices (and perhaps the tropic sun) becoming syrupy, balancing the flowers with leather and a fair bit of musk. Colony is sadly, one of those Patou scents that went the way of the buffalo. There are bottles available online at some pretty heady prices. The good news is that the fabled house of Patou has a new owner, a UK company who also now controls Worth and Scherrer have bought the brand and has reached out to Jean Kerléo, Patou's former master-perfumer to work on the scents.  Maybe if we ask real pretty they'll bring this one back.  If they do a Google search on bottle prices they'll find there's an audience for it. My source was a decant purchased at the Perfumed Court, where it is still available.